Postcards from the Funny Farm

Hi. I am a freshmen at Lee University and I am writing the Chattanooga Times’ Free Press review and preview on "The Golden Compass." Anyone can argue and agree with the series of novels just as people did with "Harry Potter." On the other side of that; notice when J.R. Tolkien released his books, then later films, there was no dispute among Christians because it was written by a man who confessed to be a follower! I was raised in a Christian home and I attend a Christian university so I can say this as a believer. If you are a devoted Christian you should know this: God is almighty and everlasting therefore he would never place a "Golden Compass" to a "chosen one" with the hopes she would find it and use it to locate a "Subtle Knife" to kill God. This is a very atheistic view, yes, however its simply coming down to what all movies, books and entertainment are known for: a climate change for all those who seek out the field. I agree with parents that their children should be hidden away from this film. On another note, teenagers are a different story all together. If you chose to not allow your teen to see this film or any other film that comes out that YOU don’t agree with consider this for the grand scales: a debated film with elements that will enable a teen to make up their own mind as a growing human being or rebellion (yes it mostly comes from the small thing parents don’t let their teens do) and eventually it will build up to become an addiction to drugs, pornography or other things in this world that can easily bring down a low-spirited teen.

Hi Zac.  If you send me the link to your review/preview when it comes out I’d like to link it here.

Thanks for your comment.  You said a lot but what I mostly hear you saying is that teens should see it.  I will probably let my 9 year old go with me and we can talk about the issues.  It may be Pullman is just another bitter atheist that is out to bite and cut down people of faith.  If so, I’ll be sorry I spent the money but it wouldn’t be the first bad movie I’ve seen . . .  probably won’t be the last.

Because of all the hoopla, now I have to see it! My son just started reading the first book in the trilogy (which I think is the one the movie is based on) yesterday in his Language Arts class at school. They will be reading all three of them in class. I may pick them up and read them myself, although, I have to be honest…normally I can’t get into stories like that (yes, I’m one of the few who kept starting Harry Potter and just couldn’t get beyond a couple of chapters) so we’ll see….I, for sure, will give you my reviews of the books and/or movies too!